Cattle on feed eases 1%

WASHINGTON – Cattle and calves on feed declined 1 percent, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on May 1, 2012, NASS said.

Placements in feedlots during April retreated 15 percent to 1.52 million. Net placements were 1.44 million head. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lbs. were 355,000, 600-699 lbs. were 250,000, 700-799 lbs. were 380,000, and 800 lbs. and greater were 536,000.

Fed cattle marketed during April totaled 1.82 million, slightly above 2011, according to NASS. Other disappearance totaled 78,000 during April, a 30 percent increase from 2011.